Strolling Jim™

3.7 (3 Reviews)
Wartrace, TN, USA
03 May, 2025 (Sat)

Running

40 mi

Races offered by this event

You have 6 weeks to prepare

Solo
On site
Road

Reviews

3.7
3 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
Write a review
user avatar
Ronald Johnston
May 2018

I don't know why Markus (first reviewer) was upset with the Strolling Jim race and its volunteers and Director. The race went off, "as advertised" and without a hitch. Beautiful course with aid stations as advertised. The energy drink offered at 5 of the tables was called SWORD. It was the best energy drink I have ever had. Check out its website! Those stations also had food offerings as well. Not a 3 course meal, mind you Markus, but certainly sufficient to fuel an ultra runner...and the volunteers were awesome! Unmanned water jugs were numerous along the course and were sufficient for all of us. Were you looking for people to serve you throughout? The course was well marked with no chance of getting lost and there was support throughout the course. Markus-it's an ultra-have you ever run ultra events before. The Strolling Jim is what it's all about. If you are training properly, it's only a mental effort to finish this race. And runners only need about 100 calories per half hour in order to run effectively. I have run the Vermont 100 in 17:30, The JFK 50 in 7:40 and 10:10, the MaineTrack Club 50 in 6:10, and many, many other ultras throughout our country and I rate the Strolling Jim 40 as a "must do" race...one to put on your ultra running bucket list.

If someone refers to the Strolling Jim as a hilly course, BELIEVE them! It's got 4000 feet of elevation gain and loss. Train on hills-both up and down. Fast times are run on this course...so it can be done with proper training. I completed this course in 8:43 with only five 60 mile weeks, four 15 mile long runs and one 20 mile long run. I will be back next year, better trained and ready to run much faster.

user avatar
MARKUS MUELLER
May 2018

This race has a 40 year long history and I was looking forward to it. There were unmanned water stations (jugs on the ground) and 6 aid stations along the way. Spread out but I thought that would be enough to run without anything. Aid station 7.5 was missing, just water jugs on the ground. 13.5 had some peanut pretzels, water and a weird electrolyte drink and some weird bars. 21.5 was nonexistent. I had to walk because I ran out of energy. An aid station came after 24.5 I think. 29.5 had luckily 2 bananas on the table, otherwise the table was blank. The lady pulled out some Gatorade and some beer from a cooler. This was supposed to be a full aid station but just a blank table with 2 bananas? Really? 35 was the same as 13.1, now manned by a fat guy bossing two kids around. They had nothing to eat so I moved on. Just before 39, a support car asked me if I needed something and I got a gel which was highly appreciated. This was by far the most pathetic aid stations I have seen in my life. And this was a fully organized event for $116 not a fat ass. I was highly disappointed, the race director just laughed at me at the finish when I told him the aid stations where not there. Obviously I would not recommend this race.

If you want to run there efficiently, you need to bring your own gels/food or a crew.

user avatar
Joshua Holmes

Perhaps the most pure, natural, still existing true to the roots of it's history ultramarathon that remains in the United States. I ran the Strolling Jim 40 Miler ultra for the first time in 2010 and return every year no matter how far or long of a journey it takes to return back. The race was created by Lazarus Lake, yes that one...creator of the infamous and near impossible Barkley Marathons, over 40 years ago. So you know you are not going to get some cookie cutter, overly marketed, catered, powder puff RNR-like event. Since Steve Durbin joined Laz to RD the event a few years ago they've added a marathon, half marathon, and 10K distances to the traditional 40 miler. It gives a sampling of the historic 40 miler to runners of all levels. It also gives an opportunity for spouses, friends, and family members something do while they wait on their loved ones to finish the 40 miler. Back in 2010 all we had was water jugs on the road every 5 miles...and you know what? It was perfect and main reason I fell in love with this race. The course record was set in 1989 (with jugs). Since then, Steve has softened the race by adding some true aid stations along the way with some simple foods, sports drink, etc in addition to the jugs every 5 miles and a couple drop bag spots for the ultra runners. The volunteers on the course and after the race cooking BBQ chicken, baked beans, and creating a family like celebration of every runner that finishes which makes it a perfect homecoming race for me, my Run It Fast® family, and so many that take part. If you are wanting a Rock n Roll/Foam Party/Color Run then this event isn't for you. If you want a throw-back in time to the true roots of our sport, and a chance to meet a living legend, Laz, and many other decorated runners from all over the globe then Strolling Jim will not disappoint.

Beautiful and amazing scenic course with rolling hills, challenging, but so pretty you think you are on trails but are on a smooth asphalt open road most of the way.

This week’s best deals

Image of Halong Bay Heritage Marathon
Up to 65% off
4.4

Halong Bay Heritage Marathon

Thành phố Hạ Long, Vietnam
23 Nov, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD38 USD
Image of Can Tho Heritage Marathon
Up to 65% off
4.5

Can Tho Heritage Marathon

Vietnam, Vietnam
21 Dec, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD40 USD
Image of Ultra Maratona Atlântica
Up to 60% off
5

Ultra Maratona Atlântica

Melides, Portugal
27 Jul, 2025 (Sun)
Trail running
From 11 USD28 USD
Image of Maga Circe Marathon
Up to 55% off
5
Map

Maga Circe Marathon

San Felice Circeo, Italy
01 Feb, 2026 (Sun)
Running, Walking
From 14 USD17 USD
Image of Timisoara 21K
Up to 54% off
5
Map

Timisoara 21K

Timișoara, Romania
08 Mar, 2026 (Sun)
Running
From 18 USD39 USD
Image of VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon
Up to 51% off
5

VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon

Qui Nhơn, Vietnam
15 Jun, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD33 USD
Image of Apfel Arena Makarska Half Marathon
Up to 50% off

Apfel Arena Makarska Half Marathon

Makarska, Croatia
25-26 Oct, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Running
From 25 USD41 USD
Image of Narva Energy Run
Up to 50% off

Narva Energy Run

Narva, Estonia
28-29 Jun, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Running
From 6 USD11 USD
Image of Trakai Triathlon
Up to 50% off

Trakai Triathlon

Trakai, Lithuania
29 Jun, 2025 (Sun)
Triathlon
From 28 USD55 USD
Image of Hyundai Porto Half Marathon
Up to 50% off
4.6

Hyundai Porto Half Marathon

Porto, Portugal
14 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 11 USD17 USD
Image of Ostrava City Marathon
Up to 50% off
1

Ostrava City Marathon

Ostrava, Czech Republic
14 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 7 USD11 USD
Image of Pula Marathon
Up to 50% off
5
Map

Pula Marathon

Pula, Croatia
20 Sep, 2025 (Sat)
Nordic walking, Running
From 11 USD22 USD
Image of Sierra Blanca Estates Marbella Half Marathon
Up to 50% off
5
Map

Sierra Blanca Estates Marbella Half Marathon

Marbella, Spain
28 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 17 USD
Image of Pisa Half Marathon
Up to 50% off

Pisa Half Marathon

Pisa, Italy
12 Oct, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 11 USD22 USD
Image of Garda Trentino Half Marathon
Up to 50% off
4.8

Garda Trentino Half Marathon

Riva del Garda, Italy
09 Nov, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 14 USD
Image of Palermo Marathon and Half Marathon
Up to 50% off
4.5

Palermo Marathon and Half Marathon

Palermo, Italy
16 Nov, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 22 USD44 USD
Image of Sarajevo Half Marathon
Up to 49% off
4.3

Sarajevo Half Marathon

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
21 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 29 USD57 USD
Image of XI Stellantis&you port de palma triathlon mallorca
Up to 47% off
5

XI Stellantis&you port de palma triathlon mallorca

Palma, Spain
21 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Triathlon
From 25 USD46 USD
Image of Murcia Marathon
Up to 45% off
4.6

Murcia Marathon

Murcia, Spain
01 Feb, 2026 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD26 USD
Image of Mekong Delta Marathon Hau Giang
Up to 44% off

Mekong Delta Marathon Hau Giang

Vi Thanh, Vietnam
06 Jul, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 22 USD39 USD

Registration just opened

Image of Dune Marathon - Run in the desert
Up to 14% off
5

Dune Marathon - Run in the desert

Merzouga, Morocco
22 Feb, 2026 (Sun)
Running, Trail running
From 31 USD
Image of Zurich San Sebastián Marathon
4.8

Zurich San Sebastián Marathon

Donostia - San Sebastian, Spain
23 Nov, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 23 USD
Image of VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon
Up to 51% off
5

VnExpress Marathon Sparkling Quy Nhon

Qui Nhơn, Vietnam
15 Jun, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD33 USD
Image of Marmaris Ultra

Marmaris Ultra

Marmaris, Turkey
15-16 Nov, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Trail running
From 44 USD
Image of Run For Pompey - Exuma Half Marathon

Run For Pompey - Exuma Half Marathon

Exuma, Bahamas
15 Nov, 2025 (Sat)
Running
From 25 USD
Image of Timisoara 21K
Up to 54% off
5
Map

Timisoara 21K

Timișoara, Romania
08 Mar, 2026 (Sun)
Running
From 18 USD39 USD
Image of Formentera to Run

Formentera to Run

El Pilar de la Mola, Spain
01 Jun, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 329 USD
Image of Run Snetterton 10K and 5K

Run Snetterton 10K and 5K

Snetterton, United Kingdom
30 Jul, 2025 (Wed)
Running
From 25 USD
Image of Scenic Half Marathon Krabi
Up to 21% off

Scenic Half Marathon Krabi

Ao Nang, Thailand
06-07 Sep, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Running
From 17 USD20 USD
Image of Apfel Arena Makarska Half Marathon
Up to 50% off

Apfel Arena Makarska Half Marathon

Makarska, Croatia
25-26 Oct, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Running
From 25 USD41 USD
Image of X-WATERS Thailand

X-WATERS Thailand

Karon Beach, Thailand
16 Feb, 2026 (Mon)
Swimming
From 21 USD
Image of Watersons Hale 10K & Ashley Hall 3K

Watersons Hale 10K & Ashley Hall 3K

Ashley, United Kingdom
15 Feb, 2026 (Sun)
Running
From 16 USD
Image of The Winter GMU

The Winter GMU

Bristol, United Kingdom
07 Mar, 2026 (Sat)
Running
From 104 USD
Image of Maga Circe Marathon
Up to 55% off
5
Map

Maga Circe Marathon

San Felice Circeo, Italy
01 Feb, 2026 (Sun)
Running, Walking
From 14 USD17 USD
Image of Corrida Porto de Leixões
Up to 30% off
4

Corrida Porto de Leixões

Matosinhos, Portugal
21 Sep, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 8 USD11 USD
Image of Kapong Trail PhangNga The Grand Canyon
Up to 19% off

Kapong Trail PhangNga The Grand Canyon

Kapong, Thailand
07-08 Jun, 2025 (Sat - Sun)
Trail running
From 30 USD36 USD
Image of Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler
Map

Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler

Laharum, Australia
06-07 Nov, 2025 (Thu - Fri)
Trail running
From 207 USD
Image of Marathon San Jose Costa Rica

Marathon San Jose Costa Rica

San José, Costa Rica
07 Dec, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 30 USD
Image of Napoli City Half Marathon
4

Napoli City Half Marathon

Naples, Italy
22 Feb, 2026 (Sun)
Running
From 44 USD
Image of Silverstone Run Fest
Up to 18% off
1

Silverstone Run Fest

Silverstone Circuit, Towcester, UK, United Kingdom
23 Nov, 2025 (Sun)
Running
From 23 USD

Want global inspiration and exclusive offers?

Join thousands of others and subscribe to the Ahotu newsletter!
By subscribing, you agree to Ahotu's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Our partners

Partner logo
Partner logo
Partner logo
Partner logo
Sports

The price shown is converted as an approximate cost in your selected currency. Exchange rates may change while completing your purchase. Always check with your issuing bank for an exact exchange rate.

© Ahotu is a World's Sports Group owned service and brand. All rights reserved.

Version: 10.9.5